When they parted ways. Yibo adopted his usual cold and stern demeanor again, returning home without Xiao Zhan. He already felt a little bit nostalgic, the connection between Xiao Zhan and him more than palpable, the two of them already adept to tease each other jokingly and fight a little, making fun of each other. As a matter of fact, Yibo finds himself wanting to see the journalist only after five minutes of separation. He wants to see him. Right now.
But he couldn't act selfishly. He had to behave professionally like Xiao Zhan did. He needed to have in mind that the enchanting man was only here for work and would be disappearing in a few days, leaving his report-testimony about Yibo's personality and life behind him and that's it. Yibo felt his stomach churns thinking about it, imagining a bad review about him after putting his entire trust in Xiao Zhan already. Yes already.
Yibo reflects on himself and think that he lets himself entranced by the man too easily. But what can he say, affection toward people can't control itself. Nevertheless, the affection Yibo is feeling for Xiao Zhan after one day of getting to know each other is far more significant than he ever thought it would ever be to anyone.
The only thing that can appease Yibo's distress right now is the idea of a future meeting they have planned tomorrow. Yibo feels great about it, they're going to a nice garden this time. Walking together. In a peaceful place. Xiao Zhan proposed it and Yibo could only actively nod at this, being utterly delighted at everything Xiao Zhan desires to do with him.
*
They meet again.
The sky is shining brightly, high in the sky when their gaze cross for the first time today. Xiao Zhan's brown eyes shine beautifully, sun rays traversing his irises. It is beyond stunning.
Yibo wears a big grin on his face, and he really doesn't want to hide it this time. He says between his smiles.
"Come here Zhan-ge, what are you waiting for. Greet your didi", he smirks, now completely comfortable in front of Xiao Zhan.
Xiao Zhan seems to be a little surprised at the name and stumble a little when walking toward Yibo. He smiles. Wide. Nonetheless.
"I see you're in a good mood today, it's great", Xiao Zhan says in a giggle.
"Must be the weather", Yibo says keeping his obvious cheeky grin.
"Haha yeah that must be."
"Or maybe it is because I get to see you", Yibo continues and whispers, eyes shoved directly into Xiao Zhan's ones.
Oh.
Shit.
He said that out loud.
Xiao Zhan blushes.
Yibo blushes.
"Hum. Anyway, it's good to see you Zhan-ge!" Yibo greets Xiao Zhan with a big slap on his arms in a teasing way, thinking that's a good thing to soften the tense atmosphere, now deeply installed between them and because they were on it yesterday, getting all close and fighting jokingly with each other. Yibo hopes that this greeting resembles like one most male friend do to greet each other.
Xiao Zhan stares at him as he did so and says nothing.
But they eventually proceed to get their shit together and walk inside the temple's garden. It is very agreeable to take a walk this afternoon. The weather is perfect, sunny but also a little bit windy. They walk past the trees for more than two hours, talking about their families, laughing at some jokes. The tense atmosphere having vanished a long time ago. Really.
After quite some time, they both agreed on sitting because although they were good walkers, they needed to rest their feet. So, here they were, slouching on the nearest bench they found. Exhausted.
Apparently, Yibo was the only one tired because after ten minutes sitting in a comfortable silence, Xiao Zhan jumped from his sit to stand in front of him, hiding the sun rays from the position. Yibo removed the hand he was using to shelter the sun and glanced up at Xiao Zhan.
Xiao Zhan was looking at him with a soft smile on his lips and God, that look could kill the poor Yibo, who had trouble breathing quite regularly since he met Xiao Zhan. The reporter looked like he wanted a request, Yibo had taken the hang of it. He could now decipher what Xiao Zhan's eyes were saying to him.
"What do you want, Zhan-ge?", he said with a teasing authoritative tone in voice, proud of himself for knowing what was hidden behind the brown pool of his gege's eyes.
Xiao Zhan was smiling even more by now like he understood how Yibo could read him now just by looking in his eyes, meaning Yibo was paying extra attention to all his facial expressions.
"I would like you to teach me some dancing, Yibo.", Xiao Zhan asked sweetly.
Yibo was confused. The request was nothing complicated and Yibo would obviously agree at it because he's pretty good at dancing. So, why was Xiao Zhan making this demand so solemnly and why was he looking at him with this intense and heavy gaze, like he was diving in Yibo's eyes, just because of some dance teaching request.
Yibo took a breath out.
"Of course, Zhan-ge, no need to make it that big of a deal. I will never deny you." That sounded a bit dramatic, but Yibo said it. It's too late and it's not like it's a lie anyway so let's stick with it.
On the other hand, Xiao Zhan breath had seemed to hitch in a quiet gasp.
"God. Yibo don't say things like that", Xiao Zhan replied in a shy tone.
Oh. It seems like tables have turned since the first day they met, and it is now Xiao Zhan's turn to feel flustered by Yibo words and actions.
"Why, Zhan-ge", said Yibo looking up to Xiao Zhan with big innocent eyes.
Xiao Zhan really seems to have lost it a bit after that, grabbing Yibo's small face in his hands. His head so close to Yibo's, breathing each other air.
"Oh my god stop it Yibo. Really." He says in a quiet whisper.
Yibo is completely enthralled now. By this beautiful, gentle, caring man in front of him. His eyes open very wide. Shocked.
Xiao Zhan pulls him out of his trance, taking his arms in his hands softly, carefully helping him standing next to him.
"Where do I begin", he said with enthusiasm.
Yibo is twice as shocked at the change of Xiao Zhan's expression he just experienced. A true virtuoso.
"Ah. Like this Zhan-ge" Yibo then shows Xiao Zhan some dance steps.
They stay like this for an unknown amount of time. Dancing, giggling and teasing each other. Yibo jokingly mocking Xiao Zhan dancing and Xiao Zhan punching softly Yibo's arm in return. They play like this in the park until the sun was beginning to disappear.
At the sight of it, Xiao Zhan didn't hesitate to take Yibo's arm once more and drag him outside of the garden. All this dragging was beginning to become a habit between the two, but Yibo didn't pay it any mind at all.
Xiao Zhan stopped in front of a car, which Yibo logically deduced was his.
"Come in Yibo, I want to show you something."
Xiao Zhan didn't say anything more throughout the ride. A comfortable silence settled in the car, soft music playing on the car radio and wind caressing their hair.
Yibo couldn't look away from Xiao Zhan concentrated face on the road and his hand attached on the steering wheel.
At a red light, Xiao Zhan turned his eyes, looking at Yibo's. Yibo said nothing but kept his gaze steady. Xiao Zhan just smiled. But it was the softest smile someone ever offered to Yibo, making him lightheaded.
The car continued its journey, the landscape transforming from urban to fairly rural. The car was now sliding through fields. Sunflower fields. Corn fields. A truly beautiful scenery.
Yibo was nearly dozing off when the car slowed down, meaning they were at their destination and the ride was finished. The car stopped. They both looked at each other. Again.
"Let's go Yibo", whispered Xiao Zhan so close to Yibo's ear, emitting shivers on his entire body.
They walked slowly side by side and sat in the grass when Xiao Zhan said so. Yibo finally took the time to admire the view. They were sitting on top of a hill, having a clear look of a big forest in front of their eyes. Stray horses were running in the wide-open space nature gifted to the world. The sun shone with orange reflections, Golden Hour it is.
Xiao Zhan face bathed in the sun rays while he was sharing some funny anecdotes to Yibo, laughing a little. Stunning. Yibo couldn't look away again.
Dear Lord, Yibo's in love. Deeply in love with this man.
Hearing that his story telling didn't make Yibo laugh, enticed Xiao Zhan to run his eyes in the younger direction. His expression immediately softens at the sight of Yibo's looking at him.
It must have been obvious on his face that Yibo was overflowing with affection and. Love.
Xiao Zhan took Yibo's hand in response and pecked it tenderly while keeping eyes contact causing a shocked gasp to fall from Yibo's lips.
"Follow me, didi", he said using a gentle and caring tone.
They stood, Xiao Zhan never leaving Yibo's side.
Then, Xiao Zhan ran down the hill.
Yibo followed him without thinking twice.
They ran through the fields for what felt like hours, quick breathing but never stopping their marathon. They lost themselves in the cornfields, find each other again, laughing very hard at how scary it was to think about losing themselves for one minute, delighted to meet again, falling in each other arms by doing so. They played hide and seek. Giggling never ending.
They rolled down the mountains, Little House on the Prairie vibe. They fell again into each other embrace, at the foot of the hill.
They find themselves positioned in a crazy way. Xiao Zhan on top of Yibo, looking at him with dancing eyes and a smile that Yibo believes has never left his face since they got here. They're staring. Intensely. It feels like they're staring at their entire soul but neither of them seems to want to let go. A sweet competition.
And Yibo finally feels it. The wet sensation of lips. He feels like blacking out, but he resists. Xiao Zhan's lips touch his cheek. Gently. Like a butterfly. It's so sweet but too quick and not enough. Yibo groans, frustrated.
Xiao Zhan looked at Yibo in distress, "What is it Yibo, I hope it didn't make you uncomfort-"
Yibo cuts him right at this moment.
He presses his wet lips on Xiao Zhan's. A little bit too hard maybe, but honestly, he doesn't give a fuck right now.
And Xiao Zhan gladly follows suit.